I'm pretty sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"I'm pretty sure" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English
It is typically used to express a high level of confidence or certainty in something. Example: "I'm pretty sure I left my wallet on the kitchen counter last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm pretty sure".

The New York Times

Michael, I'm pretty sure.

The New Yorker

Yeah, I'm pretty sure.

The New York Times

But I'm pretty sure".

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm pretty sure, anyway".

The New Yorker

So I'm pretty sure".

The New Yorker

I'm pretty sure I'm not".

Independent

"I'm pretty sure he knows".

The New York Times

I'm pretty sure it's over.

The New York Times

I'm pretty sure I did.

The New York Times

"I'm pretty sure of it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm pretty sure" when you want to express a high degree of confidence without sounding overly assertive. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "I'm pretty sure" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more assertive or precise language to convey certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm pretty sure" functions as an epistemic stance marker, indicating the speaker's degree of confidence or belief in a statement. It's a way of conveying that while not completely certain, they have a strong inclination towards the truth of the proposition. This aligns with Ludwig's observation that the phrase expresses a high level of confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I'm pretty sure" is a common and correct phrase used to express a moderate level of certainty or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in various contexts, particularly news and media. While it's a versatile phrase suitable for many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing where more assertive language may be preferred. Alternatives like "I am fairly certain" or "I am quite confident" offer more formal options for expressing similar levels of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am fairly certain

Uses 'fairly certain' instead of 'pretty sure', indicating a slightly more formal tone and a very similar level of confidence.

I am quite confident

Replaces 'pretty sure' with 'quite confident', suggesting a slightly stronger degree of assurance.

I am reasonably certain

Substitutes 'pretty sure' with 'reasonably certain', conveying a similar level of confidence with a more measured tone.

I am fairly positive

Replaces 'sure' with 'positive' while maintaining a close level of certainty, but with a slightly more emphatic feel.

I'd wager

Offers an informal alternative suggesting a willingness to bet on the accuracy of the statement.

I'm fairly convinced

Switches from 'sure' to 'convinced', indicating a belief based on evidence, but maintaining a similar degree of confidence.

If I had to guess

Introduces an element of speculation while implying a strong inclination toward a particular conclusion.

It is my understanding

Suggests that the speaker's certainty is based on information received or conclusions drawn, rather than direct knowledge.

To the best of my knowledge

Indicates certainty based on available information, but acknowledges the possibility of incomplete knowledge.

As far as I can tell

Indicates certainty based on available evidence or observation, but with a hint of reservation.

FAQs

How to use "I'm pretty sure" in a sentence?

You can use "I'm pretty sure" to express a strong belief or expectation about something. For example: "I'm pretty sure I turned off the stove."

What can I say instead of "I'm pretty sure"?

You can use alternatives like "I am fairly certain", "I am quite confident", or "I am reasonably certain" depending on the context.

Is "I'm pretty sure" formal or informal?

"I'm pretty sure" leans towards the informal side. In formal settings, consider using phrases like "I am confident" or "I am certain".

What's the difference between "I'm pretty sure" and "I'm absolutely sure"?

"I'm absolutely sure" conveys a higher degree of certainty than "I'm pretty sure". Use "I'm absolutely sure" when you have no doubt about something.